Three Moms + Six Kids = Homeschool Preschool

With our recent move and the outrageous cost of preschool tuition for two, we decided to hold off on a formal preschool program this fall, and instead find other opportunities for Ryan and Lucie to be around other kids. Our weeks now tend to be a mixture of free time, and short, structured activities like tumbling and art classes. The most exciting new addition to our schedule has been a morning we call "Homeschool Preschool".

Two fabulous and creative women in our twins playgroup came up with the idea of getting together once a week for a preschool program organized by the moms. I was thrilled to be included. Not only is it tons of fun to plan and run, but it's a great way for Ryan and Lucie to interact more closely with other kids their age and receive direction from someone other than their mother. And, best of all, the two moms I'm working with are incredibly talented at engaging the kids. I often feel like we are a part of a professional program with the energy and enthusiasm they bring to the morning.

Each week we have a theme, letter of the week, and circle time. We mix in breaks for free play and snack, as well as other structured activities like songs, stories, crafts, and movement. Some of Ryan and Lucie's favorite activities so far have included making a spiderweb, parachute games, decorating the outline of their body, and two recurring favorites, snack and "sitting on towels" (mats used for circle time).

As we're entering into our sixth week of this program, I can tell my kids are enjoying it. They talk about "Miss Elayne", "Miss Jessica", and their fellow preschoolers throughout the week. When we met our playgroup at the park last week, they excitedly pointed out their preschool buddies, and talked Jessica's ear off about all their latest happenings. This is unusual for them, as they tended to be more reserved and shy during our playgroups over the past two years. It's great to watch the transformation.

(This last photo cracks me up. For some funny reason, every time we have the kids sit at the table, the boys sit on one side and the girls sit on the other. We've never asked them to do that, it just happens that way, over and over again.)